Grief support groups offered during hours suitable for working class

There are a number of outstanding community resources throughout south Orange County meeting the needs of the bereaved and their support systems. But there is not even a handful of evening programming available to meet the average 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. worker schedule.

The majority of grief support groups meet during daytime hours, thus shutting out a huge demographic that needs access to these resources.

To meet the needs of the working community, Temple Beth El of South Orange County, Aliso Viejo, has teamed up with Vitas Innovative Hospice Care in Irvine and O’Connor Mortuary in Laguna Hills to offer much-needed programming for both the bereaved and people supporting the bereaved.

Dr. William Hoy, a nationally acclaimed bereavement expert, author and end-of-life consultant, visits Temple Beth El about every eight weeks from Dallas, focusing on various bereavement related topics. Dr. Hoy’s interactive, community-wide workshops are open to adults 18 years and older, are non-denominational and free. His most recent workshop, which focused on differences and similarities between unexpected loss and anticipatory grief, had an audience of about 150 people.

The next workshop is titled “Becoming the Social Support Grieving People Need,” and will include discussion on how to support people who seem to want to be left alone, how to walk the fine line between providing support and respecting privacy, and when social support is just not enough.

The workshop is scheduled for 7 to 8:30 p.m. May 21 at Temple Beth El of South Orange County, 2A Liberty, Aliso Viejo. Registration is required by May 20 to Becky Lomaka at blomaka@oconnormortuary

.com or 949-581-4300, ext. 229.

Vitas Innovative Hospice Care also facilitates an evening, nine-week bereavement series at Temple Beth El of South Orange County several times a year. This grief support group is open to adults age 18 years and older, is free and non-denominational.

For further information on the next bereavement series please contact Linda McMahon, bereavement services manager of Vitas Innovative Hospice Care at 714-734-2753 or linda

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